NA passes three bills to combat human trafficking amid rising migrant boat mishaps

• Punishments for human traffickers increased to 5 and 7 years.
• Government also raises fine from Rs0.5m to Rs3m and Rs5m.
• Jail term increased from 10 years to 14 years for repeat offence.

ISLAMABAD: The National Assembly passed three key bills, aimed at combating human trafficking and protecting vulnerable Pakistani migrants, The News reported on Tuesday.

The bills — namely the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons (Amendment) Bill 2025, the Emigration (Amendment) Bill 2025, and the Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants (Amendment) Bill 2025 — were introduced by Minister for Law and Justice Senator Azam Nazir Tarar.

According to the federal minister, the decision comes amidst alarming reports of deaths among illegal migrants in recent months.

During the announcement, he emphasised that the government had engaged with various stakeholders over the past two months to refine these legislative measures, which seek to amend the Prevention of Trafficking in Persons Act 2018, Prevention of Smuggling of Migrants Act 2018 and the Emigration Ordinance 1979.

The proposed changes include harsher punishments for offenders and a shift in trial jurisdiction from magistrate courts to sessions courts, ensuring a more timely judicial process for trafficking cases.

Tarar also said that the government had launched a crackdown on gangs involved in human trafficking, and many culprits have been arrested.

He said that as per amendments, the punishments for human traffickers have been increased from three to five and seven years and fine would enhance from Rs0.5 million to Rs3 million and Rs5 million. 

In case of a repeat of the offence, the imprisonment has been increased from 10 years to 14 years whereas the fine also enhanced from Rs1 million to Rs10 million along with confiscation of property.

The minister regretted the attitude of opposition members who opposed bills, registered protests, pointed out the lack of quorum, and walked out of proceedings during the execution of legislation related to serious issues.

"These bills have been passed for a noble cause with no politics involved as startling disclosures have been made during investigations," he said. 

He disclosed that to lure innocent people, they were offered packages that if a family member died during travel, then another brother would be accommodated free of charge. 

"This is a serious issue on which the prime minister takes two meetings in a week, special committees have been formed, and dozens of culprits are behind bars," he said.

The National Assembly also passed the Civil Courts (Amendment) Bill 2024 and the Pakistan Coast Guards (Amendment) Bill 2024.

The opposition member Yousaf Khan pointed out a lack of quorum in the course of legislation. However, on counting, the House was found in order. 

The Civil Servants (Amendment) Bill 2025 which was introduced in the House was referred to the standing committee concerned. The law minister said that as per legislation, the civil servants of BPS-17 to BPS-22 would be required to declare their assets.